15 of the Absolute Best Bowls of Chili You'll Find in the U.S.

Chili has so many regional iterations, and each version comes with its own cult following. Is it best with beef or chicken? Green chiles or red? Vegetarian or bean-free Texas-style? F&W looked past the geographic divides to find the most delicious chilies in the land. Craving comfort food? Try these warming recipes for chilies and stews plus our best ever chili recipes!

Institute of Chili Truck; San Antonio

Institute of Chili Truck; San Antonio

Parked near the Alamo, this food truck was inspired by San Antonio’s 19th-century “chili queens” — street food pioneers described in Texas histories and by authors such as Stephen Crane and O. Henry. Today, visual artist and cook Ana Fernandez serves a barely modified version of a chili recipe she found in the Institute of Texan Cultures' archives. The mixture of ground chuck and beef brisket is spiced with a blend of fresh and dried peppers. The food truck's menu includes corn bread, tamales and a luxe brisket burger. instituteofchili.com

The Sycamore Kitchen; Los Angeles

The Sycamore Kitchen; Los Angeles

L.A.’s star chefs Karen and Quinn Hatfield transformed a former 1950s print shop into this vintage-inspired restaurant and bakery. They give their chili a healthy spin, with ground turkey, kidney beans, and kale for extra color and texture. They season it with a mix of freshly ground guajillo, ancho, and chipotle chiles for heat and depth of flavor. thesycamorekitchen.com